Now in their 25th year, the Themed Entertainment Association has revealed who will take home a Thea Award at Disneyland Resort in April. Pictured above is this year’s Thea Classic Award winning theme park Dollywood.

The announcement was made on the TEA booth at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando on November 13. “The Themed Entertainment Association congratulates the new TEA Thea Awards recipients – representing some of the finest achievements in the creation of compelling places and experiences,” said TEA international board president Michael Mercadante of Main Street Design.

Crowds gather for the Thea Awards announcement at IAAPA

Recipients this time are listed as below. Find out what impressed the Thea Awards Committee here.

The Buzz Price Thea Award – recognising a lifetime of distinguished Achievements:

  • Mark Woodbury, vice-chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts and president of Universal Creative

Thea Classic Award:

  • Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award – recognising exceptional volunteer service to the TEA:

  • Michel Linet-Frion, Pierre & Vacances/Center Parcs

Thea Awards for outstanding achievement 2018:

  • Bazyliszek–, Legendia, Poland (Outstanding Attraction, Limited Budget)
  • Be Washington: It’s Your Turn to Lead – George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Virginia (Museum Experience, Limited Budget)
  • MORI Building Digital art Museum – Tokyo, Japan (Connected Immersion – Digital Art)
  • The Evel Knievel Museum – Topeka, Kansas (Museum, Limited Budget)
  • Fantastic Journey – Majestic Princess, California (Live Show Spectacular: Limited Budget)
  • Fantawild Oriental Heritage – Xiamen, China (Theme Park)
  • Illuminations: human/nature – Banff National Park, Canada (Connected Immersion – Digital Overlay Experience, Limited Budget)
  • Justice League: Battle for Metropolis – Six Flags Magic Mountain, California (Best Attraction)
  • Lego House – Billund, Denmark (Brand Centre)
  • Nemo & Friends SeaRider – Tokyo DisneySea, Japan (Repurposed Attraction)
  • SlideWheel – Chimelong Water Park, China (Attraction)
  • Legend of Camel Bells – Huaxia Cultural Tourism Resort, China (Live Show Spectacular)
  • Universal Spectacle Night Parade – The Best of Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, (Live Show Spectacular)
  • Universal’s Volcano Bay, Orlando, Florida (Water Theme Park)
  • Intel Shooting Star Drone System ( Technical Innovation)

The TEA Thea Awards Gala, an elegant, black-tie affair, will be preceded by the two-day TEA Summit conference. The event takes place from April 11 to 13, 2019 at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California. Tickets can be bought here as from December.

During IAAPA Attractions Expo, the TEA also announced a number of new board members and thanked those outgoing volunteers who had previously served on its various boards. Details here.